Ayala-Alfaro, Victor (University of Guanajuato), Torres del Carmen, Felipe de Jesus (University of Guanajuato), Ramirez Paredes, Juan Pablo (University of Guanajuato)

Wind Field Estimation by Small UAVs for Rapid Response to Contaminant Leaks

Scheduled for presentation during the Regular Session "Technology Challenges" (FrC1), Friday, September 4, 2020, 14:30−14:50, Macedonia Hall

2020 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS), September 1-4, 2020 (Postponed from June 9-12, 2020), Athens, Greece

This information is tentative and subject to change. Compiled on April 26, 2024

Abstract

We present a system based on a quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for wind field estimation and prediction of contaminant spread, aiming to provide valuable information to first responders and containment crews. In our method, the wind field is estimated based on quadrotor scans over the contaminated area that leverage the onboard sensors of the aerial platform. A dispersion model is computed based on the wind field estimation, and finite element analysis is performed to find the steady state contaminant concentration map. The proposed system enables emergency workers to have a fast response to contaminant leaks in low-wind conditions by estimating the pollutant concentration map over a predetermined area. Simulation results are provided to compare and validate the estimated values obtained by our system when sensor noise is considered.